Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that can seep into a home from soil and groundwater. No area of Portland is 100% clear from radon risk, but many zip codes are particularly susceptible to high radon levels, such as North and  Northeast Portland. As a common health hazard, it is important to be informed and to have your home tested.

How Much Is Too Much?

There is little doubt that radon at high exposure levels over time is very harmful to human health. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.Why Is It Dangerous?

There is no safe level of Radon. Any amount is a detriment to health. However, the EPA has determined that 4 pCi/L (a measure of Radon concentration in the air) is a practicable level at which to recommend remediation. A NE Portland home that was recently tested near Rocky Butte had 22 pCi/L – over five times that amount!

If You’re Asking These Questions, You Should Test

The only real way to know if you have a Radon problem at your house it to have it tested by a certified Radon Professional. A monitor or test kit can be used to record radon levels over a period of time. If levels are above what you are comfortable with, a remediation plan can be enacted to ventilate the radon out of the house. Learn more at the very informative EPA Radon website.

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost of a Radon test varies from $15-20 for a do-it-yourself kit that must be mailed to a lab for results, to $150-200 for full home Radon inspection and monitor setup with more immediate results. If you have questions or would like help in assessing your radon risk, don’t hesitate to contact us. We may assess the situation and refer you to Radon Testing and Remediation Specialist if that is the best fit for your concerns.

One Comment

1. bwasham

   5.17.12

   

   Good news: our friends had the Radon mitigated. New results tested over the weekend are 0.8 pCi/L. (The origional test was at 21.8pCi/L!)